CTIA–The Wireless Association® Applauds FCC Order to Treat Wireless Broadband as Information Service

March 22, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC – CTIA-The Wireless Association® President and CEO Steve Largent offered the following comments today in response to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) decision to classify wireless broadband as an information service:  

“I applaud and congratulate the FCC Commissioners for their bold action today.  It is critical that the FCC ensure that regulations are technology neutral and this decision is a welcome step in that direction.  Today wireless is a legitimate competitor in the broadband marketplace offering capabilities and speeds comparable to cable and DSL service and today’s order recognizes this important fact.  As the Commission notes, wireless broadband provides particular benefits in rural and other underserved areas.      

“In January, the FCC released its High Speed Services Report, which provided clear evidence that consumers are turning to wireless for their high-speed broadband needs.   Between June 2005 and June 2006, there was a 2,800 percent increase in the number of high speed wireless lines in-use.  In fact, during the first six months of 2006, wireless accounted for 59% of ALL new high-speed lines.  This last statistic indicates that wireless broadband is growing faster than cable and DSL combined.         

“Because of forward-looking policies like this one, wireless broadband will continue to spur revolutionary advances in public safety, medicine, homeland security, education and business.”

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CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry,
representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers.
www.ctia.org